Peaceful Christmas a Rare Testimony, CAN Tells Tinubu

T The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described the just-concluded Christmas celebrations as a historic turning point, saying Nigeria experienced a rare season without attacks on churches, a development the association attributed to improved security efforts under the current administration.

The President of CAN, Most Rev’d Daniel Okoh, stated this on Thursday, December 26, during a courtesy visit by Christian leaders to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to mark the Christmas season and appreciate the First Family.

According to Okoh, the absence of distress calls reporting attacks on churches marked a sharp departure from previous years when violence often overshadowed the festive period.

“This Christmas happened to be the first Christmas in many years that we were not woken up at midnight with a phone call to say a church was attacked. It is a testimony that we must share, and we hope and pray this will continue,” he said.

He noted that the visit was not only to felicitate with the President and his wife but also to commend the administration for its commitment to peace, national unity, and the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians. Okoh praised what he described as deliberate efforts to provide support for the poor, particularly during the Christmas season.

The CAN president also expressed satisfaction with President Tinubu’s handling of recent national tensions and security-related concerns, including reactions to international statements that had stirred anxiety within the country.

He said the government’s response demonstrated renewed seriousness in addressing insecurity.

“We are seeing renewed efforts and renewed commitment to strengthening the security architecture, to ensure that Nigerians can go out in peace and return home safely,” Okoh said, while acknowledging that more work still needed to be done.

He added that although the results of ongoing security reforms might not yet be fully visible, there was optimism that tangible improvements would emerge in the coming year.

“We believe the President has started well, and we pray that this momentum will be sustained,” he noted.

Okoh concluded by pledging CAN’s continued cooperation with the Federal Government, stressing that religious leaders remained committed to supporting policies and initiatives that promote peace, development, and national cohesion across Nigeria.